Forklift Truck Classification
For little under a century, the forklift truck has been working its magic. Even today, this particular kind of machine is found in each and every warehouse operation all around the globe.
The first forklifts were built because of manpower shortages that were caused by WWI. Businesses like for instance Clark and Yale & Town introduced the material handling machine that utilized powered lift tractors in their plants. In 1918, Clark saw the potential for these equipment and started selling them.
It was during the 1920s that the design of forklifts changed from a tractor with an attachment to a dedicated machine which was equipped with a vertical lifting mast. The forklift developed and became more sophisticated with WWII. The forklift played an important part during this time in the handling of supplies for different armies throughout the world. It was also during this time that wooden pallets were introduced that proved the need for the lift truck in the material handling industry.
Lift trucks gained momentum and continued to develop when the Second World War ended. During the 1950s, battery operated forklifts made an appearance. There were other more specialized forklift models introduced like for example the Narrow Aisle Reach truck. This kind was made by the Raymond Corporation. In the 1960s and 1970s, improvements were made in the electronic controls area. This made forklifts a lot more versatile and companies were able to look at warehouse efficiency.
There are various options you can use to power a forklift these days. These include electric battery, diesel, CNG or compressed natural gas, gasoline, liquid propane gas or LPG. The very first hybrid forklift was developed by Mitsubishi. It now runs on diesel battery and lithium ion. This model consumes 39 percent less fuel than existing models. Statistics prove that its carbon dioxide emissions are roughly 14.6 tons less compared to those kinds of forklifts that are powered by IC or internal combustion engines.